Slow, dragging footsteps entered the Bureau: barely making a sound, as if they belonged to someone who had forgotten how to live. Shin barely looked up. He kept eating, not paying attention to the comings and goings of people inside the Bureau. He was used to ignoring background noise, well, until those frail steps broke into a run and rushed toward him.

He turned, just in time to feel a pair of small arms wrap tightly around his face, clinging to him like their life depended on it. For a second, he nearly panicked. His instincts screamed to retaliate—his fist was halfway to its target—until he realized something: the arms were too small, and the body pressing against him was far too light.

He gently pried the figure off, only to freeze when he saw her face.

It was the little girl from the train—the one who had offered him chocolate with a bright smile. But that light was gone now.

"Mister!!" she cried, her voice trembling but cheerful, her tear-filled eyes lightening up a bit despite the dark circles beneath them. "I knew it was you!!! How are you, Mister?!"

He tilted his head slightly, frowning as he took in her condition. He never forgot the people he met—their faces or even some of the slightest details about them. But the girl before him wasn't the same as the last time he saw her. Back then, she had big, vibrant jade eyes and a glow of life in her. Now, her eyes looked dull, heavy… like they were ready to close forever.

"What happened to you?" he asked softly.

"I…" Her voice faltered. Then came the tears—hot, silent rivulets carving down her cheeks.

"Don't cry," Shin said gently, brushing her cheeks. He stood, lifting her into his arms, and silently walked out of the Bureau.

Most people didn't even notice. But the people hunting him did.

Tony glanced up, narrowing his eyes. His fingers twitched with the urge to rip Shin to pieces—but killing was forbidden in the Safezones. He'd die the moment he tried.

Ado clasped his hands to his mouth in mock adoration. "Aww, wasn't that cute? That boy is so sweet!"

Tony growled. "Don't be fooled. Keep your eyes on him. We need to find a way to drag him out of the Safezone."

"Yeah, yeah, group leader. It's not like I'd fall for him or anything! Though… it would make a fantastic BL drama. A man falling for the one he's meant to kill—don't you think that's so tragic and romantic?" Ado placed a hand to his chest and blinked like a puppy.

Lawrence rolled his eyes and nudged him. "That's cliché, and you know it. Come on."

They made their move—Tony would remain behind to gather intel about these zones, while Ado and Lawrence tailed Shin to study him.

Meanwhile, Shin entered his room, gently setting the little girl down on his bed. She was sniffling now, her tears drying slowly on her cheeks.

He offered a soft smile, hoping to ease her nerves. "I'm Mr. Shade. What's your name?"

The girl looked up at him, her eyes tired, but filled with a small flicker of trust.

"...Aya. My name is Ayaka," she whispered.

"Ayaka. That's a beautiful name. Did you know it means flower?" She nodded slowly. He smiled again. "Even in the coldest places, beautiful flowers like you find a way to bloom."

She sniffled and threw her arms around his waist, hugging him tightly. He held her close, knowing she was ready to open up.

"So… what happened, kid? Where's your mom?"

Her body trembled. Then came the silence—followed by the weight of memories she had tried to bury.

Her mother had promised her they'll be coming to a better place for a better life. A land of smiles where they'd eat lots of sweets. She had promised candies and warmth and nights without crying. But that dream shattered.

Ayaka clutched her head, her fingers digging into her scalp as images flashed through her mind.

They used to be a happy family. Her dad would come home tired but smiling, and her mom would serve dinner with laughter in her eyes. But everything changed the moment those strange blue screens appeared. People started turning on each other. Killing.

Her mom had locked her in her room one night—and from there, she heard it all.

"You have to help Aya survive, Ryan! Make sure she levels up! I don't want my daughter to die!" her mother had begged.

Her father scoffed. "Your daughter? Help her yourself. I've always doubted she's even mine. You think I'd risk my life for another man's sperm?!"

"RYAN! Ayaka is your daughter, damn it! Stop running from your responsibilities!"

Back then, Ayaka had been crouched on her floor, covering her ears, crying softly. But her system skill wouldn't let her look away—it forced her to witness everything.

It made her watch as her father beat her mother mercilessly.

It made her watch her mother hide the bruises behind closed doors.

She watched as hope slowly drained from the only person who had ever truly loved her.

The memories became too much.

Ayaka let out a guttural sob, her body trembling violently.

Shin quickly wrapped her in his arms, pulling her close. "It's okay," he whispered over and over. "You're safe now. You don't have to say anything if you aren't ready."

Eventually, exhaustion overcame her, and she fell asleep in his arms. Shin laid her down gently, covering her with a blanket, then placed a hand on her forehead and used his healing. Just in case she gets a headache from crying a lot.

She had seen too much for someone so young and small.

She must've lost her mother… the way she reacted said it all.

But Shin couldn't shake the other part of him—the cautious one. In this world, trust could kill. What if this girl was lying? Manipulating?

He looked at her sleeping form, then sighed deeply and lay beside her.

For now, he would believe in the part of him that still had a heart.

TBC